At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage finances for vulnerable clients and ensure they receive all eligible benefits.
- Company: Local Authority in Havering with a focus on community support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Initial 3-month contract with potential for extension and dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of UK benefits system and strong communication skills required.
Client: Local Authority in Havering
Pay Rate: £20.92 hourly PAYE / £27.28 hourly UMB
Hours: 35 Hours a week (Mon-Fri)
Duration: Initial 3 month contract
Location: HYBRID WORKING - Once fully trained, office based in Romford 1 day a week
Role Overview
We are seeking a Court of Protection Appointee & Deputyship Officer to provide an effective financial management service for vulnerable clients who lack the mental capacity to manage their own affairs. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing clients' finances, ensuring they receive all benefits and entitlements they are eligible for, and managing their income and expenditure. The role requires regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, families, local authorities, benefit agencies, and other third parties.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Management
- Manage the day-to-day financial affairs of vulnerable clients who lack capacity.
- Monitor and manage all client income and expenditure.
- Assess, apply for, and maintain benefit entitlements.
- Ensure clients are receiving all benefits they are eligible for, including Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and other welfare benefits.
- Calculate and collect applicable client fees.
- Produce and maintain quarterly financial reports.
- Court of Protection & Deputyship Duties
- Support all Court of Protection and Deputyship-related activities.
- Manage client assets and financial matters, including private pensions where applicable.
- Arrange the closure of tenancies and utility accounts when required.
- Ensure compliance with Court of Protection requirements and processes.
- Client Support & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a key point of contact for clients and a variety of external stakeholders.
- Conduct annual home visits for each client to review circumstances and welfare.
- Provide a high-quality, person-centred service that protects the interests of vulnerable individuals.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with families, next of kin, local authorities, healthcare professionals, and benefit agencies.
- Bereavement & End-of-Life Administration
- Manage all necessary arrangements following a client's death.
- Liaise with next of kin and relevant organisations.
- Handle financial and administrative matters relating to bereavements and estate closure processes.
Essential Experience & Knowledge
- Strong working knowledge of the UK benefits system, including:
- Universal Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Other welfare benefits and entitlements
- Experience assessing benefit eligibility and managing claims.
- Strong administrative and financial management skills.
- Experience working with vulnerable adults and managing sensitive situations.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience working within Court of Protection, Deputyship, Appointeeship, Adult Social Care, or a similar environment.
- Knowledge of Court of Protection processes and the responsibilities of Deputies and Appointees.
Working Arrangements
- Annual home visits required for all allocated clients.
- Following completion of training, the role will operate on a hybrid basis with an expectation of attending the office one day per week.
Welfare Benefits Officer (Court of Protection) employer: Adecco
Our client in Worthing is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and individual contributions. With competitive pay and flexible hours, employees enjoy a balanced work-life dynamic while having access to growth opportunities within the manufacturing sector. This role as a Kitting Operative not only provides meaningful work but also allows you to be part of a respected organisation committed to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Benefits Officer (Court of Protection)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Adecco.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Adecco!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Adecco, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Adecco or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Welfare Benefits Officer (Court of Protection)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Adecco:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Adecco! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adecco
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
